Preview: Cubs at Twins

June 08, 2012|Reuters

There might not be a lot of national excitement for the three-game interleague series between the Cubs and the host Twins, but Alfonso Soriano is looking forward to the weekend set. Soriano, who has started 53 of the Cubsâ 58 games in left field, will get a chance to rest his sore left knee when he serves as the teamâs designated hitter during interleague play. The sore knee hasnât been a problem at the plate for Soriano, who has nine home runs in his last 22 games dating back to May 15.

The Twins have the worst record in the AL, but they won their third straight series with Wednesdayâs 4-2 victory over the Royals. Minnesota, which has won four of its last five games, is hoping to get catcher Joe Mauer back for Fridayâs series opener. Mauer missed the three-game series against the Royals because of a sprained right thumb, but the team doesnât think heâll need a stint on the disabled list. Mauer is batting .298 with three homers and 25 RBIs in 191 at-bats.

Wood allowed one run on three hits over seven innings last Sunday against the Giants. âThatâs as good as Iâve seen him pitch, even when he was in Cincinnati,â said manager Dale Sveum. Wood, who has 18 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings since being called up from Triple-A Iowa, has two quality starts in his four appearances.

After four solid outings, Walters stumbled last Saturday against the Indians when he allowed four runs over 4 1/3 innings. Walters, who is 0-0 with a 3.72 ERA in four career appearances (one start) against the Cubs, has a 3.00 ERA in his two home starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs C Welington Castillo (knee) is set to begin a rehab assignment on Friday with Double-A Tennessee. Fellow catcher Geovany Soto (knee) is hoping to begin his rehab assignment next week.